Curried Apple Turnovers

My family always looks forward to apple picking this time of year. The kids enjoy climbing up on daddy’s broad shoulders to reach for juicy autumn orbs tucked beneath leafy branches. They get even more excited about all the other glorious things you find at an apple orchard…farm animals to feed, hay rides, play areas, and decedent apple treats!

Henderson county, just south of us, is known for having more apple orchards than any other county in the US. Yes, that includes Michigan and Washington! Who knew that this little corner of western North Carolina could produce such apples!

We have visited our fair share of apple orchards over the last six years and have firmly decided on a favorite, Sky Top Orchard. As noted by it’s name, Sky Top Orchard is located on a mountain top in Flat Rock, NC. With lush mountain views in all directions, why would you want to pick apples any where else? Plus, they have great variety in the orchard, a well-stocked apple emporium, and plenty of extra attractions to keep the kiddos busy long after the bushels are filled to the brim. And if that isn’t enough, they sell HOT, fresh, apple-cider donuts! After your first bite of these supple, sugar-crusted rings, you don’t know whether to swear, thank God, and cry out of utter bliss!

Alright, enough about the donuts. While I’m pondering the possibility of recreating them, I’d like to offer you another apple treat that is perfectly lovely in it’s own right. Apple turnovers are one of my favorite fall snacks. They are cute, easy to take with you, and full of flavor!

There is one problem with making apple sweets. When you bring home bushels of apples from the orchard, you start to worry about monotony. After all, what better accents apples than cinnamon? But if you spice all your apples with cinnamon, it doesn’t matter whether you make turnovers, pies, crisps, cakes, or muffins. You end up with SAME flavors–just varied textures!

As a girl who likes a lot of variety, I’ve been experimenting with different flavor profiles to complement apples. I’ve found that CURRY POWDER and garam masala do wonders to spice up savory or sweet apple dishes. Both are Indian spice blends usually containing a little cinnamon. Yet, you also get a bit of coriander, clove, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, and cardamom as well. These extra spices provide rich depth to your apple treats…and the element of surprise!

I’ve noticed that if you don’t tell your taste-testers what your secret ingredient is, they will devour several hand pies while contemplating the possibilities, and still may never figure it out! A touch of curry adds that little SOMETHING, without overpowering the apple-y goodness!

But I, when I undress me Each night upon my knees Will ask the Lord to bless me, With apple pie and cheese ~Eugene Field, American poet

I love the addition of curry powder and garam masala! It must add such a great depth to the apples, with still a bit of familiar, cinnamon-y warmth from the garam masala. I definitely want to give this combination a try!

OMG …curry powder garam masala and apples …something really really interesting to begin with….The curry powder available in the US is different from the one we use here , but we can always make our own favorite curry powder.

People make apple curry and apple pickle here from the small varieties of himachal apples.

Sommer, those are truly beautiful! I love the addition of the "surprise" spices. And of course, the best part of your blog is that I can actually drive to Skytop Orchard and check it out for myself! Glad you had such a nice time.

garam masala is an inspired choice for a dessert. going to try that asap.

kinda funny, but the folks who grow the most apples don't necessarily grow the best. there's a little place in western maryland called McCutheon's that makes some great apple products. and my personal all time favorite apple is a Colorado Western Slope honeycrisp.

Those look wonderful. I never thought to put curry powder in sweet dishes before. Sounds like a great combo. I love going apple picking. I never knew that apples grew in NC, never mind that the state grew so many. Thanks for sharing.

I love the idea of adding some spice to these apples turnovers! We have an apple orchard about an hour south of us and I have been telling him that we need to go soon. I might use this recipe to get him in the car to go. Sounds delicious! Also, wanted to thank you again for the giveaway treats. We got them this weekend and have enjoyed them immensely! Thank you!!

HI SommerI would never have thought of curry or any Indian spices in my apple pies, but when you explain it, it makes all the sense in the world! I imagine it does add a lot of depth of flavor, and tintilates the imagination, trying to figure out what it could be! Thanks for thinking outside the box!

I love how you mixed it up with a different spice, I agree cinnamom does go very well but with so many apples fresh from picking, good idea to vary flavors, love the turnover on the green plate, sweetlifeps, we slice apples and put them inside a quesadilla with sharp cheddar for a quick lunch, yum

I love the addition of curry flavour. How interesting. I am sure this works a treat as they do compliment each other. How lovely. I will make these for sure as im so intrigued by their taste now! I LOVE PUFF PASRTY. I would sell my soul for it!

Leave a Comment

Hi there!

Welcome to A Spicy Perspective!

Thanks for stopping by. “All Things In Moderation” is my mantra. I care greatly about health, but also believe that life is short and we should enjoy the little pleasures, guilt free. That would make my second mantra “Will work(out) for food.”